News

2008-08-06 09:50:08.253

"Lucky Marines" Named Lottery Team of the Month

A group of Marines from Belton have been named the August Lottery Team of the Month as part of the 2008 Missouri Lottery Captains promotion. The promotion awards a Lottery group with prizes and a feature at Molottery.com each month during the calendar year.

The team, aptly named "Lucky Marines," works in the finance division of the Marine Corps Mobilization Command in Belton. Team Captain Chris Christeson said that the group was meeting for regular poker nights and naturally progressed into buying Lottery tickets together. The "Lucky Marines" play a variety of games, including Powerball when the jackpot is high, and usually roll their winnings back into buying more tickets. The largest prize the group has won to date was $120, which was divided between the seven members.

Like most military outfits, members of the "Lucky Marines" hail from all over the country, but currently reside in Belton. Team members include Team Captain Sgt. Chris Christeson, Master Sgt. Chris Vullo, Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Lathrop, Cpl. Michael Kelly, Staff Sgt. Kent Bird, Joe Krawczykowski and Sgt. Brady Huffhines.

Each member of the team puts in $5 per week, and they decide as a group what games they will play. Purchasing duties are shared by the group. The retail location, usually one of a few stores close to the Richards-Gebaur base, is left to the discretion of the assigned funds handler.